AFCON 2023: Golden Boot race wide open again

Nsue ahead, Dala closing fast

The race for the AFCON 2023 Golden Boot is wide open again after the round of 16. Emilio Nsue, a true fox in the box, is still the competition's top scorer with 5 goals to his name. However, the 34-year-old's tally is stuck, as Equatorial Guinea were knocked out in the round of 16 by Guinea (0-1). Nsue also had the chance to add to his total but missed a penalty in that game.

To keep hold of the AFCON 2023 Golden Boot, Emilio Nsue will have to keep his fingers crossed. Behind him, an antelope is galloping at full pelt. His closest challenger, Gelson Dala, is pushing hard. The Angolan netted a brace in the round of 16 against Namibia (3-0), which takes his tally to 4 goals. In the quarter-final against Nigeria, he has the chance to draw level with Nsue, or even overtake him, who knows…

Read also: AFCON 2023: lessons from the round of 16

Sinayoko lurking, a pack of players on 2 goals

Behind Nsue and Dala, Lassine Sinayoko is prowling. The Malian has already scored 3 goals at this AFCON 2023, including 1 in the round of 16 against Burkina Faso. Still in the competition, the striker can take advantage of the quarter-final against Ivory Coast, and beyond if all goes well, to snatch the Golden Boot. The other Angolan, Mabululu, is also on 3 goals. Behind him, three players on two goals are still in the hunt: Nigeria's Lookman, Guinea's Mohamed Bayo and finally South Africa's Zwane.

Note that two players on 3 goals, Baghdad Bounedjah and Mostafa Mohamed, can no longer win it as they have been eliminated from this AFCON 2023.

AFCON 2023 top scorers

Emilio Nsue, 5 goals

Gelson Dala, 4 goals

Mabululu, 3 goals

Lassine Sinayoko, 3 goals

Mostafa Mohamed, 3 goals

Baghdad Bounedjah, 3 goals

Mohamed Bayo, 2 goals

Ademola Lookman, 2 goals

Themba Zwane, 2 goals